ISRO Transfers Lithium Ion Cell Technology To Industries

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Technology Transfer of Lithium Ion Cell Developed By The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) To Industries

Lithium ion batteries gained immense popularity as rechargeable batteries to be widely used in almost every electronic gadgets of daily life and in the field of telecommunication, electric vehicles,military and aerospace applications. It uses an intercalated lithium compound as one electrode material and lithium ions move from the negative electrode to the positive electrode during discharging and reverse during charging. Several researches are carried continuously being carried out worldwide for the development and improvement of lithium ion cell technology owing to their high energy density, high voltage, tiny memory effect, low self-discharge, long life cycle and characteristic of high storage. Recent progress in lithium ion cell technology has lead to its wide uses in electric vehicles and research was in progress for further development of lithium ion cell technology to use them in powering satellites and launch vehicles. A groundbreaking milestone has been achieved by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of the Indian Space Research Organization which has indigenously  developed the lithium ion cell technology for its advance uses in powering satellites and launch vehicles in future. 

VSSC has indigenously developed lithium ion cells having capacities ranging from 1.5 Ah to 100 Ah to power satellites and launch vehicles in upcoming days. They are keen to transfer this technology to the industries for establishment of mass production facilities, keeping in mind the power storage requirement of the country in every aspects. Regarding technology transfer ISRO had issued the Request for Qualification (RFQ) in June 2018 which contains brief description of relevant details like qualification aspects, technology transfer process, timelines etc. In an overwhelming response 141 companies responded and 190 representatives from these 141 companies participated in the pre-application conference on 17th July 2018 to clear their query regarding RFQ. While addressing the gathering after inauguration, Dr. S. Somanath, Director of VSSC put emphasis on the role of batteries in space technology and the indigenously developed lithium ion cell technology can revolutionize the power storage system in any applications. He mentioned that VSSC have successfully developed, tested and qualified in the use of lithium ion cells in various applications and the transfer of technology is necessary for its mass production and application. He recommended that the buyers need to innovate and develop the base technology further to meet the specific requirement of the market.